Suspect in Sanchez case fails to appear

The former campaign chief to Hollister Councilwoman and Gilroy
teacher Eugenia Sanchez in her bid for Assembly failed to appear in
court today for an arraignment on charges he attempted extortion
against the local official.
The former campaign chief to Hollister Councilwoman and Gilroy teacher Eugenia Sanchez in her bid for Assembly failed to appear in court today for an arraignment on charges he attempted extortion against the local official.

Anand Goundar, of Sacramento, has been charged on suspicion of attempted extortion against Sanchez and had been set for an 8:30 a.m. arraignment today at the San Benito County Courthouse.

The district attorney’s office alleged attempted extortion against Goundar in charges filed two weeks ago following an investigation by the Hollister Police Department.

The charges allege Goundar attempted to extort additional money after the vehicle purchase while telling Sanchez he would embarrass her in the media by accusing her of political wrongdoing – specifically, that she did not report two Assembly campaign donations from him totaling $1,800.

Since Goundar did not appear in court today, there is a warrant out for his arrest, District Attorney Candice Hooper confirmed.

Sanchez, who was mayor at the time of the suspected, attempted extortion, recently said she is “still contemplating” a run for the 28th Assembly District seat as a Democrat.